Round 19
South Sydney Rabbitohs 12 l. Wests Tigers 36

2008 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Farah teaches Sandow valuable lesson
Mon July 21, 2008
Souths whiz kid Chris Sandow received a valuable lesson about playing in the NRL as Robbie Farah inspired the Wests Tigers to victory handing Sandow his first loss at NRL level.

Sandow has been the driving force behind the Rabbitohs five successive victories after starting the season with just one win before his overdue introduction into the Souths NRL side after several dominant displays at NYC level.

Farah normally a hooker was moved to halfback by Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens in a move that proved a masterstroke with the Tigers winning 36-12 and Farah outstanding in the position.

It wasn't a happy day for Sandow as the Tigers targeted him in defence and a crucial drop ball in the second half after Shannon Hegarty did a rare pass from dummy half killed any momentum Souths had of getting back into the match. Sandow to his credit kept coming in defence and didn't go hiding, but he would have learned more from yesterday's mauling from the Wests forwards and the crafty Farah than he would have done in the previous five weeks.

Another player to shine for Wests was towering prop Daine Lawrie, who was playing NSW Cup for the Magpies recently, but such a dominant display against the Bulldogs a few weeks ago at NSW Cup level saw him win NRL selection and gain a contract for the Wests Tigers. Lawrie's dreadlocks and kamikaze like charges sees him shape up as one of the new personality players to hit the NRL this year. His popularity could certainly be that similar to former Canterbury and Halifax wildman Geoff Robinson, who with his ferocious charges at the line and long hair and beard made him a crowd favourite at all venues in the 1980's.

One player the Tigers certainly exposed and took advantage of was Hegarty, who was promoted back into the NRL last week after several weeks with North Sydney in the NSW Cup. An early mistake from Hegarty put Wests on the attack and precise grubber from Benji Marshall saw Taniela Tuiaki score in the corner. Marshall landed a superb sideline conversion for Wests to lead 6-0.

Replacement Wests fullback Tim Moltzen was controversially sin binned in the 12th minute for holding down in the tackle.

Souths gained the momentum following the sin binning and scored in the 19th minute through talented and courageous centre Jamie Simpson. Isaac Luke converted to level up the scores.

The Rabbitohs had all the football following the Simpson try for the next ten minutes and their failure to add points to the board was crucial and the turning point in the match. Luke had a try disallowed by referee Jason Robinson when replays showed that he could have grounded the ball, but Robinson ruled quickly that he was held up. Replays weren't conclusive and most likely would have gone back to a 'Refs Call'.

When the Tigers got back into field position they again exploited Hegarty with Beau Ryan getting on the outside of Hegarty to score in the 37th minute. Marshall added the extras for Wests to lead 12-6, which they took into the half-time break.

An excellent scrum play by Farah five minutes after the break saw Chris Lawrence break clear to score in the corner to put the Tigers up 16-6 and a fine individual effort from Farah where he decieved the Rabbitohs defence pushed the Tigers 14 clear. Marshall failed to convert both tries.

Corey Payne saved a certain Rabbitohs try where he came from the clouds to chop Luke down in cover following an excellent break from Craig Wing. Souths weren't to be denied in the 64th minute when Roy Asotasi crashed over one tackle after another break to give Souths supporters hope of another miracle comeback.

It wasn't to be for Souths as a crucial drop ball from Sandow after a rare pass from Hegarty stopped any momentum. John Morris put in a well timed cross field kick where Hegarty was caught out of position for Ryan to score his second try in the corner. Marshall landed an excellent pressure goal to put the Tigers beyond two converted tries in front.

Lawrence and Tuiaki each scored their second tries late in the match to round off an impressive 36-12 victory.

Sandow is favourite to take out the Peter Moore Rookie of the Year award and yesterday tasted defeat for the first time in his 6th NRL appearance. How Sandow bounces back from this setback will be a massive test of his character and his future standing in the game.

The game unearthed one rookie sensation and personality player in Lawrie and tested the mettle and strength of Sandow. The fact Sandow kept coming was a sign that he's going to get better and is learning as each game comes along.

Farah was without doubt a deserving Man of the Match in his best performance of the season, but Lawrie's 'Robbo' like charges at the line along with his dreadlocks gives the NRL a valuable marketing tool at a time when the game is struggling due to poor management, under-valued TV deals, declining crowds and comical refereeing decisions.


Farah named at halfback for Rabbitohs clash
Tue July 15, 2008
Source: www.weststigers.com.au

Wests Tigers Coach Tim Sheens has named Robbie Farah at half-back for the match against South Sydney Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium on Sunday, July 20.

1 Brett Hodgson [c]
2 Taniela Tuiaki
3 Dene Halatau
4 Chris Lawrence
5 Beau Ryan
6 Benji Marshall
7 Robbie Farah
8 Keith Galloway
9 John Morris
10 Bryce Gibbs
11 Bronson Harrison
12 Chris Heighington
13 Ben Te'o

14 Stuart Flanagan
15 Liam Fulton
16 Corey Payne
17 Daine Laurie

News Source: www.weststigers.com.au

Tue July 15, 2008
• Rabbitohs NRL and NYC teams for Tigers clash
  

Advanced Search